Who we are and what we do:
At Craftsbury, we believe that mastery of single sculling is foundational to rowing and sculling well in all boat classes. Whether you aspire to the perfect, disciplined, and independent solitude of the 1X itself, the excitement and commitment of being part of an 8+, or anything in between, getting better in the single will serve you well in every facet of our sport.
With that in mind, our camps are a professionally guided forum for the exploration of single sculling. It is our professed intention always to be aware of the idea that all of us, coaches and scullers alike, are learning and refining our understanding of how to move boats gracefully and powerfully, all the time.
We believe that everyone who wants excellent coaching should get it. We have no way of knowing where the sport will take someone in years to come, and our camp rosters always include a broad spectrum of ages and ability levels. Our coaches understand that the person worthy of their best coaching is the person in front of them, right now.
Week-long Programs (6 days/5 nights)
A complete exploration of the sport of sculling: technique, training, boatmanship, rigging and more. The program includes 14 scheduled on-water sessions, two video review sessions per camper, and a variety of land sessions such as core strengthening, yoga, rigging, ergometer training, and evening activities. Coached sessions and video reviews typically take place before lunch. In the afternoons, take advantage of a free row to work independently on what you're learning or grab a coach for more technical points. The afternoon row is also a great chance to try a demo single or a team boat, or stay on dry land and expedite your recovery with a massage or other programming options. Participate in a trip to Concept2 (the rowing oar and erg manufacturer), take a mountain bike ride, play volleyball, or visit other local points of interest. Thursdays midday we hold the Head of the Hosmer - Craftsbury's take on the traditional head racing format complete with post-event festivities and campfire (see results here). All week-long programs start at 3:30pm on Sundays and end by 10:30am on Friday.
Weekend Programs (3 days/2 nights)
The weekend program at Craftsbury provides an intensive overview of sculling technique. Weekends condense a lot of information into just three days and are great as a technical tune-up for experienced rowers while providing newcomers with an efficient, thorough introduction to the sport. The program has five scheduled coached sessions; one on Friday, two on Saturday, and two on Sunday before lunch. Video review sessions are planned two times through the course of the weekend along with afternoon classroom sessions covering a comprehensive overview of the stroke cycle, evening video presentations, and a yoga class. All weekend programs start at 3:30pm on Friday and end with lunch on Sunday.
Four-day Programs
A short week? A long weekend? Whichever you decide, this program gives you a bit more of all you love about Craftsbury without a whole week away from your commitments. The four-day program includes eight scheduled on-water sessions, two video reviews, a yoga class, and a rigging talk. The schedule on day two and day three is like that of our weeklong program with two coached sessions before lunch and either an optional afternoon water session or classroom programming covering a comprehensive overview of the stroke cycle. Our autumn four-days also include the beauty of Vermont's dazzling autumn foliage. All four-day programs start at 3:30pm on the day of your arrival and end with lunch on the final day.
Special Programs
Yoga and Sculling - Each day will combine sculling sessions on Lake Hosmer with on-the-dock stretching and an extended indoor yoga class. This program is open to all abilities. Beginning scullers AND beginning yoga students are welcome. Note: The sculling component of this program is exactly the same as that of our other 6 day programs. No sculling time is sacrificed, we just add more yoga sessions. More info.
Foliage + Sculling - Vermont is renowned for its fall foliage. The Foliage + Sculling sessions combine our sculling camp with optional daily local field trips that will expand your appreciation of Craftsbury and northeastern Vermont. More info.
Larry Gluckman Scholarship - Established by his family, the goal of the scholarship fund is to introduce more people to the sport of rowing. COC is honored and excited to carry out this goal, which aligns perfectly with our own mission. Learn more, apply, and donate here.
Para Rowing and Coaching Clinic - October 10-13, 2024. This program is ideal for rowers with physical disabilities, and current or future coaches of para rowers. The focus for rowers is on learning and improving the rowing stroke, increasing knowledge, skills and independence in equipment set up, rigging and building experience in individual rowing shells. Prior rowing experience is required. For coaches, the clinic will provide education about rigging for para-athletes, access to expert USRowing para-rowing coaches Ellen Minzner and Tom West for insights about working with para rowers and solving challenges particular to your home club. More info.
Kids and Sculling Camps
While we do our best to accommodate scullers of all ages, all sculling camp participants must be at least 12 years of age. Sculling campers younger than 15 must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult.
Do you have a child looking for more of a summer camp experience with a sculling component? Check out our sister organization Hosmer Point's programming, including their sculling weeks. They also have day-program options for younger kids, and are only a bit over a mile away.
What is Included
Our camp fee covers all elements of the program itself, including the use of a sculling shell appropriate to your stage of development. Our fleet can accommodate most any rower, no matter what your size or ability level, from stable recreational models to racing shells - even some doubles. In addition we offer a variety of lodging options from the most basic (double occupancy, shared bathroom) to private, scenic, and well-appointed waterfront cottages and hilltop cabins.
Interested in more gracious accommodations? We have a wide variety of upgrade options available including single rooms with shared baths, suites, hilltop cabins and lakeside cottages that can fit the whole family. Lodging information.